Testing the Aerolife True HPA AA (Air Atomized) System -First run

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Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
If you're using the liner to block light, then that means that light's getting in. Black absorbs light/heat more than white does :)

Get orca film and you get the benefits of white on the outside to keep the Rez cool and black on the inside for the contrast with the roots.
 
B

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
TB, what compressor are you using?

I think I saw something about a Craftsman but I'm not sure I missed something.

So really to run AA all you need is a compressor, a nozzle, and a solenoid? I already have solenoids, timers, and tubing out the ass...........are there not little hidden pieces that I'm missing and that are required? Also, since I have all the stuff for hydraulic, would I be better off just getting pressure fed nozzles?

Lotsa questions, I know........saying "I don't know" is more than acceptable :)
 
skunkd0c

skunkd0c

Well-Known Member
TB when those sexy fluffy roots start popping out like crazy, PLEASE make sure you get some great pictures
if there is one thing we are short on its fluffy Aero root pics , to make up for all those ugly DWC root pictures we are plagued with lol :)

peace, good luck
 
A

Atomizer

Well-Known Member
Bob Smith said:
TB, what compressor are you using?

I think I saw something about a Craftsman but I'm not sure I missed something.

So really to run AA all you need is a compressor, a nozzle, and a solenoid? I already have solenoids, timers, and tubing out the ass...........are there not little hidden pieces that I'm missing and that are required? Also, since I have all the stuff for hydraulic, would I be better off just getting pressure fed nozzles?

Lotsa questions, I know........saying "I don't know" is more than acceptable :)
Click to expand...
Hi Bob
For syphon fed nozzles, compressor, solenoid and nozzles.
For pressure fed nozzles, compressor, 2 solenoids, accumulator, pump etc and a regulator (to control liquid pressure)

Compressor/receiver sizing depends on the nozzle cfm spec..the bigger the better is the easiest option :)

Here`s an example,
Compressor with a 3gal tank, assuming output: 2.5cfm and pressure switch setting: 60psi on-120psi off
Running a single 1cfm AA nozzle on a 1 second pulse / 60 second pause cycle, the compressor will run for 40 seconds once every 100 minutes.
If you use 4 nozzles in the system that will drop to once every 25 minutes.
If the 4 AA nozzles you choose happen to take 3cfm each, the compressor will run once every 6 minutes (and probably wont last too long :) )

If you have a basic shop compressor you can always convert it into a silent further down the line.
compressor.jpg
 
Trichy Bastard

Trichy Bastard

Well-Known Member
Bob Smith said:
TB, what compressor are you using?

I think I saw something about a Craftsman but I'm not sure I missed something.

So really to run AA all you need is a compressor, a nozzle, and a solenoid? I already have solenoids, timers, and tubing out the ass...........are there not little hidden pieces that I'm missing and that are required? Also, since I have all the stuff for hydraulic, would I be better off just getting pressure fed nozzles?

Lotsa questions, I know........saying "I don't know" is more than acceptable :)
Click to expand...
Yes, Craftsman 1.5hp 125psi 3 gallon tank. Don't even have the oil/water separator yet, and doubt it's completely necessary. For siphon fed all you need is the nozzle, compressor, timer and solenoid. Pressure fed needs all of the hydraulic hp setup plus aa nozzle and compressor... I'm still excited about the prospect of simplicity with these siphon fed nozzles if they prove to work well enough. Less parts to break, although if you had the pressure fed setup it'd be nice and easy to incorporate a hydraulic nozzle backup system in case of a compressor failure or extended power outage...
 
Trichy Bastard

Trichy Bastard

Well-Known Member
Okay, today the roots I showed in last night's pic grew to around twice the length they were in that last photo 24 hours ago. I felt they were enough to go ahead and transfer to a netpot with the rockwool mini cubes and be placed in the aero chamber while I handwater them everyday until the roots get going (hopefully) in the Aerobox chamber. For shits n giggles I also decided to wash the roots off the sorry tomato plant I took the cuttings from and also place that plant in a netpot with mini cubes in hopes it might adapt and grow in the chamber as well.

I also finished up a side project I'd been working on for the last couple days. I built a pvc framework that conveniently sits in the holes built into the top of the lid of the aerobox in each corner. I then wrapped the framework in 1mil mylar film and popped in a couple CFl's to create a "light lid" I can place on the chamber just before sunset and remove in the mornings so I can supplement the 12 hours of natural daylight here with 6 extra hours of light to keep things in veg mode. After 2-3 weeks of this I can quit using the lights and just let the natural 12/12 cycle take over.

Here is a shot of what the chamber looks like with the light canopy on it:

IMG_0053.jpg

And here's what's going on inside the light canopy- the transplant is in front, and I just noticed it pretty much covers up the small clone that's sitting behind it... I hope neither experience much transplant shock...

IMG_0052.jpg
 
Trichy Bastard

Trichy Bastard

Well-Known Member
dickkhead said:
Nice set up! And the show starts:)
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Yup! Been anxiouly waiting for this moment for too long. Luckily another one of the cuttings (that had a woodier stem) just started showing roots in the fog propagator, so I should have another backup incase either one of these doesn't make it. Otherwise I might see how far along I can sustain it in the ultrasonic fog...
 
Trichy Bastard

Trichy Bastard

Well-Known Member
dickkhead said:
Nice what are ur w/d times? And psi to the nozz
Click to expand...
Still testing for the optimal settings... Soon you can join in the fun ;)

Your chamber being larger will probably mean different settings anyway...

Aerolife told me around 30 -40 psi is what they used. I'll start with 1 second on/ 1 minute off... I suspect we can find even more optimal settings, but it's a start...

They also said a 15-20 second misting cycle every 10 minutes, but I am sure we can do better than that with the solenoids and timers we use. The wet/dry cycles are much too well defined - sounds like a soak and dry. Likely shorter bursts with small pause times will be the key to best results. And then there is siphon height we have to also work out.
 
D

dickkhead

Active Member
Trichy Bastard said:
Still testing for the optimal settings... Soon you can join in the fun ;)

Your chamber being larger will probably mean different settings anyway...

Aerolife told me around 30 -40 psi is what they used. I'll start with 1 second on/ 1 minute off... I suspect we can find even more optimal settings, but it's a start...

They also said a 15-20 second misting cycle every 10 minutes, but I am sure we can do better than that with the solenoids and timers we use. The wet/dry cycles are much too well defined - sounds like a soak and dry. Likely shorter bursts with small pause times will be the key to best results. And then there is siphon height we have to also work out.
Click to expand...
Why does siphon height matter? How far is your res from your nozzle?
 
A

Atomizer

Well-Known Member
There`s no wet/dry time with AA, the roots are suspended in constant mist. Finding the right mist density is the first hurdle, too much, too moist or too large a droplet size and everything is soaked. Too little or too small a droplet size gives too dry a mist the roots cant use. Pause length is set to let the mist gradually fade down to a light haze just before the next pulse. Use too long a cycle and the mist is completely gone (too dry), too short a cycle and excess droplets start building up on the roots (too wet).
You`ll need a fairly long pulse to fill a 1100L chamber :)
 
D

dickkhead

Active Member
Atomizer said:
There`s no wet/dry time with AA, the roots are suspended in constant mist. Finding the right mist density is the first hurdle, too much, too moist or too large a droplet size and everything is soaked. Too little or too small a droplet size gives too dry a mist the roots cant use. Pause length is set to let the mist gradually fade down to a light haze just before the next pulse. Use too long a cycle and the mist is completely gone (too dry), too short a cycle and excess droplets start building up on the roots (too wet).
You`ll need a fairly long pulse to fill a 1100L chamber :)
Click to expand...
Thanks for that so whats a goud starting point?
 
A

Atomizer

Well-Known Member
Depends on the pressure, nozzle position etc but i`d say you`ll be looking at a good 3 second pulse to fill 1100L with 2 nozzles. It`ll be easy to judge by eye once you get up and running. A starting point for the pause duration is not as easy, a stopwatch is useful for checking how long the mist hangs. After that you`ll have to judge if you have too little or too much pause time based on how wet the roots are. Adjustments may take an hour or so to become apparent, increasing the pause time allows the roots to use up excess standing droplets but you could find you`ve overshot it and they`re too dry after a couple of hours. Similar situation when decreasing the pause where you`ll see excess droplets forming on the roots.
Personally i`d err on the side of caution and overmist initially to ensure the plants stay alive and gradually dial it back until you find workable settings.
 
D

dickkhead

Active Member
Atomizer said:
Depends on the pressure, nozzle position etc but i`d say you`ll be looking at a good 3 second pulse to fill 1100L with 2 nozzles. It`ll be easy to judge by eye once you get up and running. A starting point for the pause duration is not as easy, a stopwatch is useful for checking how long the mist hangs. After that you`ll have to judge if you have too little or too much pause time based on how wet the roots are. Adjustments may take an hour or so to become apparent, increasing the pause time allows the roots to use up excess standing droplets but you could find you`ve overshot it and they`re too dry after a couple of hours. Similar situation when decreasing the pause where you`ll see excess droplets forming on the roots.
Personally i`d err on the side of caution and overmist initially to ensure the plants stay alive and gradually dial it back until you find workable settings.
Click to expand...
Sweet thanks A
if I have any more questions I'll keep it in the hp aero section
 
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